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Yorkshire (West Riding) / Re: Smith family mystery (Harewood and Leeds)
« on: Friday 03 May 19 23:52 BST (UK) »
Hi Matt,
I was given that family story that I forwarded to your niece about Hannah Craven Smith's portrait by my father's cousin Karen Dykes-Evans. It was handed down from her grandmother to her.
I also have some thoughts and questions regarding the story and our family and I would love to work with you.
My thought on your question as to why wasn't Hannah Craven's name listed as a witness; usually on most licenses, there aren't as many witnesses listed as there was on theirs.
Maybe Hannah thought her husband's signature as a witness was enough for the two of them?
Hannah Muschamp may have been particularly close to the bride and wanted to be included, or very close to both the bride and groom; maybe Thomas Fawell was close to the family before the marriage? He apprenticed Samuel Smith and taught him the trade of a surgeon, it could be possible.
As for why Hannah wasn't included in the story, that bothered me as well, and made me wonder if there was a mistake, but Eve Anna does say that her mother "often spoke of writing a sketch of her, (Hannah Craven) and a romantic incident connected with the portrait, but as she never accomplished it I will do the best I can to carry out her wish in the respect".
It is entirely conceivable that she just forgot her name as she was rewriting the story from memory many years after the fact and after her mother dies.
I have some questions I would love to share with you and I sent them to your niece. If you would like to contact me I would like to talk them over with you as well.
Best Regards,
Laurie
I was given that family story that I forwarded to your niece about Hannah Craven Smith's portrait by my father's cousin Karen Dykes-Evans. It was handed down from her grandmother to her.
I also have some thoughts and questions regarding the story and our family and I would love to work with you.
My thought on your question as to why wasn't Hannah Craven's name listed as a witness; usually on most licenses, there aren't as many witnesses listed as there was on theirs.
Maybe Hannah thought her husband's signature as a witness was enough for the two of them?
Hannah Muschamp may have been particularly close to the bride and wanted to be included, or very close to both the bride and groom; maybe Thomas Fawell was close to the family before the marriage? He apprenticed Samuel Smith and taught him the trade of a surgeon, it could be possible.
As for why Hannah wasn't included in the story, that bothered me as well, and made me wonder if there was a mistake, but Eve Anna does say that her mother "often spoke of writing a sketch of her, (Hannah Craven) and a romantic incident connected with the portrait, but as she never accomplished it I will do the best I can to carry out her wish in the respect".
It is entirely conceivable that she just forgot her name as she was rewriting the story from memory many years after the fact and after her mother dies.
I have some questions I would love to share with you and I sent them to your niece. If you would like to contact me I would like to talk them over with you as well.
Best Regards,
Laurie